Text of the war-related resolution

Below is the full text of the war-related resolution adopted Monday by State College Borough Council. It reflects some changes from the original resolution that was suggested by local peace activists. (The text of the activists’ original proposal appears below the version adopted by council members.)

As approved by the Borough Council:

Resolution on the Fifth Anniversary of the War in Iraq

WHEREAS, March 19, 2008, is the fifth anniversary of the ongoing war in Iraq; and

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WHEREAS, many of our relatives, friends and neighbors in the State College area have been among the hundreds of thousands of troops sent to fight in this war; and

WHEREAS, almost 4,000 American servicemen and servicewomen, including eight residents of Centre County, have died in the war and many thousands more come home injured; and

WHEREAS, the exhaustive use of our local national guard units and equipment in Iraq has diminished local availability of first responder personnel; and

WHEREAS, at the current rate of $275 million a day, the total financial cost of the war is approaching half a trillion dollars; and the financial cost of the war to residents of State College borough is estimated at more than $31 million; and

WHEREAS, this huge expenditure is distorting the economy, creating enormous debt which will financially hobble our country for decades to come, causing additional hardship to our citizens by reducing federal funding for health care, transportation, education and other critical areas, as well as a reduction in funds available to local governments like ours for local services; and

WHEREAS, it is a most sacred obligation of our civilian leaders to put our brave and loyal troops in harm's way only as a last resort and only when our country is in mortal danger,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA

1. that the State College Borough Council honors the sacrifices of its residents, and the residents of its surrounding communities, who have died, been injured, or otherwise had their lives disrupted by their service to our country both in Iraq and Afghanistan;2. that the State College Borough Council supports the safe return of all our troops from Iraq as expeditiously as possible;3. that the State College Borough Council recognizes the State College Peace Center for organizing a vigil marking the fifth anniversary of the war at 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, 2008, at the corner of College Avenue and Allen Street.--------------------------As first proposed by activists with the State College Peace Center:

Resolution on the Fifth Anniversary of the War in Iraq

WHEREAS, March 19, 2008, is the fifth anniversary of the ongoing war in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, many of our relatives, friends and neighbors in the State College area have been among the hundreds of thousands of troops sent to fight in this war; and

WHEREAS, almost 4,000 American servicemen and servicewomen, including eight residents of Centre County, have died in the war and many thousands more come home injured; and

WHEREAS, the exhaustive use of our local national guard units and equipment in Iraq has diminished local availability of first responder personnel; and

WHEREAS, at the current rate of $275 million a day, the total financial cost of the war is approaching half a trillion dollars; and the financial cost of the war to residents of State College borough is estimated at more than $31 million; and

WHEREAS, this huge expenditure is distorting the economy, creating enormous debt which will financially hobble our country for decades to come, causing additional hardship to our citizens by reducing federal funding for health care, transportation, education and other critical areas, as well as a reduction in funds available to local governments like ours for local services; and

WHEREAS, it is a most sacred obligation of our civilian leaders to put our brave and loyal troops in harm's way only as a last resort and only when our country is in mortal danger,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA

that the Borough of State College

1. urges our national leaders to bring all our troops home from Iraq as soon as is consistent with their safety, and2. applauds the efforts of the State College Peace Center to organize a vigil at 5 p.m. on March 19 at the corner of College Avenue and Allen Street to mark the fifth anniversary of the war.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be forwarded to President George W. Bush, Senator Arlen Specter, Senator Robert Casey and Representative John Peterson.